The older generation has a much better opinion of 16 to 25-year-olds than is generally assumed. According to surveys conducted by the BAT Leisure Research Institute, around two thirds of respondents over the age of 55 have a "predominantly favourable" impression.

If we look at the population as a whole, young people fare even better, as the positive picture predominates among 75 % of Germans. This was not always the case. In 1950, around 30 years ago, it was exactly the opposite: only around 24 % had a predominantly favourable impression.

There are notable differences in attitudes towards young people when the respondents' education, income and place of residence are taken into account. The more educated they are and the higher their income, the more favourable their assessment. And the image of 16 to 25-year-olds is also more favourable in rural areas, in places with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, than in cities.

These results show a growing tolerance towards young people. The older generation initially criticises the greater leisure orientation of the younger generation: "They only think about their leisure time and their personal pleasure" - "They only think about themselves and can't do anything with themselves". At the same time, they admire and envy the leisure-orientated lifestyle of young people.

A positive assessment is that the younger generation values friendship, leisure and freedom very highly, that they are more open to human contact, less afraid of their fellow human beings and show more understanding for others. Young people are developing more courage for self-realisation and are breaking new ground. They are also looking for idealistic values, contrary to some prejudices.

But even the older ones don't come off as badly in the eyes of the younger ones as it sometimes seems. They admire their achievements. That they have learnt to work hard and can still get to grips with things today. And they appreciate their superior composure, their ability to rise above things, their greater life experience. The overvaluation of possessions, security and career is still criticised. According to the younger generation, personal freedom, individual thought and action are too easily sacrificed to meaningless traditions.

Young generation has a better work-life balance

Despite the high value placed on leisure time, work and career remain important in the lives of the younger generation. However, compared to the group of over 55s, there is a much more balanced attitude towards work and leisure. This is the result of a representative survey conducted by the BAT Leisure Research Institute, in which the question was asked: "Which hours are your favourite in general? The hours when you are working or the hours when you are not working, or do you like both?"
While a third of all respondents clearly favoured free time, 62 % like work and free time equally. The over 55s clearly rate leisure time less highly, with only 21 % clearly favouring free time, while 72 % value work and leisure equally. In contrast, 48 % in the age group up to 29 years are in favour of non-working hours. Around 51 %, i.e. slightly more than every second respondent in this group, opted for the answer "likes both".